Pharmacal package construction

ABSTRACT

A pharmacal package wherein a pair of blister sheets are closed by respective backing sheets, the backing sheets being hingedly connected together and the blister sheets being held in adjacent relation.

' United States Patent Serrell et al.

PHARMACAL PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION Inventors: John J. Serrell, Haverford;George C. Sparks, Harleysville; Howard M. v

Trowern, Jr., Willistown, all of Pa.

Assignee: Parke, Davis 8: Company, Detroit,

Mich.

Filed: Aug. 9, 1971 Appl. No.: 170,050

Related US. Application Data Division of SerxNo. 877,075, Nov. 17, 1969,which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 831,557, June 9, 1969.

U.S. Cl ....206/s6 AB, 206/42 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1966 4/1927 l/l960 8/ I962 12/ l 966 Holley ..206/65 R Dixon ..206/39lvy et al ..206/42 Fredette et al. ..206/42 McConnell et al. ..206/57 RPrimary ExaminerWilliam T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Robert R. Adams, DavidB. Ehrlinger,

George M. Richards A pharmacal package wherein a pair of blister sheetsABSTRACT Int. Cl. ..B65d 83/04 blister Sheets being held in adjacentrelation Field of Search ..206/42, 65 R, 56 AB 4 Claims, 1 1 DrawingFigures 43 42 4s ,42 2lb 24b ill Patented June 5, 1973 2 ShOCtS-Sheet 1n 2lb 24b /iOb 1 A 7m MW Mm Patented June 5, 1973' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2PHARMACAL PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is a division of copending application Ser. No.877,075, filed Nov. 17, 1969, which in turn is a Continuation-in-Part ofcopending application Ser. No. 831,557, filed June 9, 1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While the package construction of theinstant invention has been primarily developed and employed in thepharmaceutical field, and particularly for in-hospital dispensing ofdrugs, it is appreciated that the novel features disclosed are capableof many varied applications, all of which are intended to becomprehended herein.

As is well-known to those versed in the hospital administration field,the dispensation of drugs, accurately and efficiently, presents manyproblems both of an economic nature and pertinent to health, safety andlaw enforcement.

The conventional compounding of prescriptions in the hospital pharmacy,many ofwhich prescriptions are transported more or less loosely on atray to the various patients rooms, leaves innumerable possibilities forinadvertent error, as in loss, transposition of prescriptions, as wellas pilferage, and the like.

Consonant with advanced thinking in the field, it is desirable to employprepackaged drugs, thereby minimizing or eliminating the possibility ofcontamination through handling and exposure, and to automaticallyinventory, store and dispense the required drugs in a manner includingthe maintenance of completely accurate and current records of drugsordered, prescribed, dispensed and consumed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the instantinvention, there is provided a highly improved pharmacal packageconstruction which permits of economical fabrication and filling by thedrug manufacturer, being capable of carrying all required indicia inready visually accessible location, being shipped and stored in itsoriginal package to insure sterility, adapted for convenient automatichandling and dispensing, say from conventional dispensing machines, andwhich provides a continuing record of the actual drug and dosageadministered to the patient, the quantity remaining to be administered,and further insures that the drug reaches the patient in its originalsterile condition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pharmacalpackage construction having the advantageous characteristics mentionedin the previous paragraph, which is extremely simple in structure,durable throughout storage, handling and use, and which can beeconomically manufactured and effect substantial economies in costs ofhandling.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide apharmacal package of the type described wherein the patientsprescription may be conveniently incorporated and retained for futurereference, from which individual doses are conveniently removed withoutdefacement of the package as a whole, so that even the last remainingdose does not inadvertently get lost,

but remains a part of the entire package until consumed.

It is among additional objects of the present invention to providepackage constructions having the advantageous features described above,wherein the blister sheets may be selectively held in adjacent relation,as determined in manufacture, by a resilient hinge means therebetween,or by suitable adhesive, or by interfitting holding formations, so thatthe broad concepts herein are capable of many varied applications.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists of the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective viewillustrating a finished package constructed in accordance with theteachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the package of FIG. 1 incondition for receival or removal of aprescription or the like withrespect to the package.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly broken away, illustrating an earlystage in manufacture of the package of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view showing the intermediate package construction ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view taken generally along the line 55 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an end view showing the construction of FIGS. 35 in a slightlylater stage of package formation.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is anend view showing still a later stage in formation of thepackage of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG.8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view showing a slightly modifiedembodiment of package in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, and partly broken away for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view showing still another embodiment ofthe instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a package isthere generally designated 20, and includes a pair of generallyrectangular, parallel spaced backing sheets 21, which may be providedwith lines of weakening, as by perforations 22, permitting of easyseverance along the perforate lines. A pair of blister sheets 23 areeach provided with hollow blisters 24, say deformed from the material ofthe blister sheets, and arranged between the backing sheets 21 with theblisters 24 of respective sheets in back-to-back adjacent relation. Morespecifically, the blister sheets 23 are each suitably adhesivelysecured, as by thermoplastic adhesion, in facing engagement with arespective one of the backing sheets 21, so that the backing sheetseffectively close the hollows of the respective blisters. The closedblisters 24 may contain suitable contents, such as pharmaecuticals orthe like.

Along one pair of adjacent edges of the backing sheets 21, there is aconnection therebetween, as at 25,

which provides a hinge or swingable connection between the backingsheets and their respectively carried blister sheets 23. Further, thebacking sheets 21 and connecting hinge 25 may all be at least partiallyfabricated of resiliently flexible thermoplastic sheet material, thehinged connection 25 having been deformed so that its elastic memoryserves to resiliently bias the backing sheets 21 and their respectiveblister sheets 23 toward each other. Thus, the resiliency of the hingedconnection 25 serves to effectively hold the blister sheets 23 inadjacent relation, limitedby back-to-back engagement of the blisters 24of the respective sheets. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the backing sheets21 and their secured blister sheets 23 have been swung away from eachother against the resilient restoring force of the spring hinge means25. This condition is illustrated to show a prescription 26, or otherdata carrying sheet, interposed between the adjacent blister sheets 23.That is, the blister sheets 23 swing, by resilience of the hinge 25,toward each other, to frictionally retain the data sheet 26 in thepackage 20.

While the prescription or data sheet 26 may be removed, when desired, asfor inspection or entry thereon, the blister sheets 23 need not be movedaway from each other for retrieval of a pill or other contents from adesired blister 24. Rather, a portion ofa backing sheet 21 may merely besevered along the weakened lines 22, and peeled away from the blistersheet 23 to open the adjacent blister 24 and afford access to thecontents thereof.

In FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 there are illustrated an intermediate stage inmanufacture of the package of FIGS. 1 and 2. It is there seen that apair of blister sheets 23 are secured to spaced portions 21 of anintegral sheet member, the sheet portion intermediate the blister sheets23 being designated 25. In practice, the blister sheets 23 are initiallyformed and the blisters filled, as with pills 27, after which thebacking sheets 21 are secured in closing relation with respect to theblisters 24 of the blister sheets 23. The securement of backing sheets21 to blister sheets 23 is preferably of a peelable type, but may beotherwise, if desired,

The early stage assembly of FIG. 3 is illustrated in end and sideelevation in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively.

A die 30 is shown in FIG. 7, being of angulate configuration, and morespecifically, of acute angulate configuration. The die 30 is preferablyheated, as by a heater 31 on the exterior or obtuse side of the die 30.The early stage package assembly of FIG. 3 is passed laterally along thedie 30 of FIG. 7, so that one backing sheet 21 is swung relative to theintermediate sheet portion at an acute angle, as determined by the die,and the thermoplastic material of the sheet portions 21 and 25 areheated by the die to set the bend 32 substantially at the angle of thedie. That is, the bend 32 is permanently deformed into the thermoplasticmaterial of backing sheet portions 21 and 25, and any relevant swingingmovement therebetween is resiliently resisted by the bend 32.

Similarly, the other sheet portion 21, the right-hand sheet portion 21as seen in FIG. 7, is flexed or bent relative to the intermediate sheetportion or hinge means 25 by an additional die 35 of acute angulateformation having suitable heating means 36. The die 35 serves to deforman acute angle bend 37, as best seen in FIG. 9.

Upon removal of the package from the die 35, the bends 32 and 37 areequally resiliently swung or distended, so as to locate the backingsheet portions 21, substantially normal to the intermediate hinge sheetportion 25, the condition shown in FIG. 1. The resilient restoring forceof the hinge means 25 and its bends 32 and 37 serves to bias the blistersheets 23 toward each other so as to frictionally retain a prescription26, or the like, between the blister sheets. If desired, the backto-backrespective abutting engagement of blisters 24 may be more positivelyretained by adhesive means therebetween, or adhesive means secured to aninter posed sheet 26, if desired.

If it is desired, the adjacent blisters of respective blister sheets maybe offset with respect to each other so as to interfit, with theblisters of each sheet extending between an adjacent pair of blisters ofthe other sheet. Such a relationship is illustrated in FIG. 10, a pairof backing sheets or backing sheet portions 21a being hingedly connectedtogether, as by hinge means 25d and each being provided on its adjacentsurfaces with a respective blister sheet 23a. The blister sheets 23a areeach provided with blisters 24a, and the blisters are arranged forinterfitting, the blisters of one sheet being interdigitated withrespect to the blisters of the other sheet. As is apparent in FIG. 10,the blisters 24a of both sheets 23a are therefore substantially coplanarwith each other, which effectively halves the thickness requirement ofthe package 20a.

While the hinge means 25a may be provided with resilient bends, as inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, so as to resiliently urge the backingsheet portions 21a toward each other into the illustrated condition ofFIG. 10, other holding means may be provided if desired. For example,suitable adhesive, as at 40, may retain the blister sheets 23a in theircoplanar interfitting relationship. The adhesive 40 may conveniently belocated in spots between the ends of certain blisters 24a and theadjacent engaging portions of the other blister sheet. The adhesive 40may be of a releasable type, if desired.

Another slightly modified embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 11, a pharmacal package there being generallydesignated 20b, and including a pair of backing sheets 21b hingedlyinterconnected along one adjacent pair of edges by hinge means 25b.Carried on the'facing sides of the backing sheets 21b are blister sheets23b, each having a plurality of blisters 24b, which blisters arearranged for interposition of each blister of each blister sheet betweena pair of blisters of the other blister sheet. Further, the blisters ofeach sheet are provided with formations configured for snap interfittingengagement with formations of the blisters of the other blister sheet.In particular, the blisters 24b of the upper blister sheet 23b are eachprovided with undercut recesses, as at 42, while the blisters 24b of thelower blister sheet 23b are each provided with outstanding lugs 43 forrespective snap interfitting engagement with the recesses. Thiscondition is shown in FIG. 11 with the blisters 24b of one blister sheetfully engaged between the blisters 24b of the other blister sheet.However, it is appreciated that snap interfitting formations, as at 42and 43, may be provided on blisters without full coplanar interfittingrelationship between the blister sheets.

Thus, the pharmacal package of FIG. 11, generally designated 20b, mayhave its backing sheets 21b and the respectively carried blister sheets23b held in adjacent relation by the interfitting formations 42 and 43.The holding formations 42 and 43 may positively retain the package inthe illustrated condition of FIG. 7, or permit the backing sheets to beswung away from each other and returned toward each other, as desired.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides apharmacal package construction which is extremely well-suited for use inthe manufacture, transportation, storage and dispensing of drugs,readily adapted for carrying all required and desired indicia andinformation, inherently stackable to facilitate automatic handling, andotherwise fully accomplishes its intended objects. Of course, each ofthe pharmaceutical packages illustrated and described hereinbefore maybe overwrapped, or may be provided with a receiving sleeve for enhancedattractiveness and strength, if desired.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. A pharmacal package construction comprising a pair of backing sheets,a pair of mutually cooperating single-piece blister sheets each having aplurality of hollow blisters and each being secured one for one to thebacking sheets with the blister hollows facing the respective backingsheet, said backing sheets serving to close said blisters, contents insaid closed blisters, the

backing sheets being divided along lines of weakening into portions eachadhesively secured to and closing a respective blister and each portionbeing individually severable and peelable from the blister sheet toexpose the content of the blister for retrieval, said backing sheetsbeing arranged with the blisters of respective sheets in interposedside-by-side relation with respect to each other with said blistersheets substantially coplanar to occupy a minimum of space, hinge meansswingably connecting together an adjacent pair of edges of saidbackingsheets, and means holding the blisters of respective sheets inadjacent relation with said backing sheets and backing sheet portionsoutermost, to define a package exteriorly protected by said backingsheets and adapted for automatic handling and for retrieval of contentfrom a selected blister while the blister sheets are held in adjacentrelation.

2. A pharmacal package construction according to claim 1, said hingemeans being sufficiently resilient to resiliently urge said backingsheets into position with said blister sheets in adjacent relation.

3. A pharmacal package construction according to claim'l, said holdingmeans comprising adhesive means securing said blister sheets in saidcoplanar relation.

4. A pharmacal package construction according to claim 1, said holdingmeans comprising resealable adhesive means securing said blister sheetsin said coplanar relation.

1. A pharmacal package construction comprising a pair of backing sheets,a pair of mutually cooperating single-piece blister sheets each having aplurality of hollow blisters and each being secured one for one to thebacking sheets with the blister hollows facing the respective backingsheet, said backing sheetS serving to close said blisters, contents insaid closed blisters, the backing sheets being divided along lines ofweakening into portions each adhesively secured to and closing arespective blister and each portion being individually severable andpeelable from the blister sheet to expose the content of the blister forretrieval, said backing sheets being arranged with the blisters ofrespective sheets in interposed side-by-side relation with respect toeach other with said blister sheets substantially coplanar to occupy aminimum of space, hinge means swingably connecting together an adjacentpair of edges of said backing sheets, and means holding the blisters ofrespective sheets in adjacent relation with said backing sheets andbacking sheet portions outermost, to define a package exteriorlyprotected by said backing sheets and adapted for automatic handling andfor retrieval of content from a selected blister while the blistersheets are held in adjacent relation.
 2. A pharmacal packageconstruction according to claim 1, said hinge means being sufficientlyresilient to resiliently urge said backing sheets into position withsaid blister sheets in adjacent relation.
 3. A pharmacal packageconstruction according to claim 1, said holding means comprisingadhesive means securing said blister sheets in said coplanar relation.4. A pharmacal package construction according to claim 1, said holdingmeans comprising resealable adhesive means securing said blister sheetsin said coplanar relation.